Archive for March, 2011

Gotta love the drama of this editorial. The statuesque Aymeline and Alla really work it out in Josh Olins’ gritty vision. Each exudes strength and power along with a balletic grace. I love the lines that Aymeline and Alla create; there’s an architecture (perhaps that isn’t quite the word I am looking for…) to this that I really enjoy. This editorial weaves a fantasy in a different light–one without the glossy larger-than-life glamour normally seen in avant garde pieces. I like that. Without any flourishes to distract me, I can just take in the strength, beauty, and fluidity of her body. The human body is majestic. Just watching the effort of sinew and bone is fascinating. The matte cloudy saturation to the shots also help. But I must say, Aymeline truly shines in this. My eye is drawn to her in every shot she’s in. She is certainly a newcomer to watch.

With so many stunning shots to choose from, I had a difficult time picking the feature shot. There was hardly a weak frame in the lot. Not only is Paolo’s photography phenomenal, but Arizona Muse gives me everything I could have asked for in this editorial. I love the largely neutral color palette and the romantically whimsical aesthetic. And I certainly feel that this editorial is aptly named; there is a quiet power about this editorial that just grabs the viewer. There are no antics and the concept is not ambitious, but there is something enthralling about it nonetheless. It whispers rather than roars (if that makes any sense…). Paolo Roversi simply presents some seriously beautiful shots. And Arizona plays it to perfection with just a slight quirk of an eyebrow. I love the wisp of hair that flows across her forehead. It’s an excellent little touch and makes the looks feel just a bit undone.

Beauty is a hard idea to capture. There’s something visceral at work here for me personally. I instantly fell in love with this editorial despite the fact that it is a studio shoot with no apparent storyline. This is like…a variation on a theme. And this theme happens to be Arizona in dreamy fashion, of which Paolo is an excellent choice for that. All the elements just come together effortlessly in order to result in a gorgeous somewhat sentimental editorial.

[Hmm very tempted to feature the shot of her butt instead, but I wonder if viewers will take it the wrong way…thoughts?]

Normally I really enjoy Numéro’s editorials, but during Fashion Month, Numéro wasn’t impressing me as per usual. Trust a particularly lovely shot of Magdalena’s butt to get me interested again. Although, her butt is most certainly not her only lovely feature; Magdalena is utterly gorgeous all around and seduces the viewer with hardly any effort. I also like how this editorial comes across almost as a behind-the-scenes series interspersed with some gorgeous artistic shots. I find the photography very nice; the lighting reflects off the angles her body and face almost in an ethereal fashion. The planes of her body are simply stunning. And while there is no apparent theme, I can still enjoy the editorial anyway.

I like the wild romance to this editorial. The overgrown countryside is a lovely counterpoint to the cream and white color palette. The most striking element for me are the lines in this. I would have completely overlooked this editorial if it weren’t for the shot above where the barb wire dissecting through it; it startles me a little and adds a certain grittiness to the scene. That is also true of the initial shot where Vanessa is gripping a rusty fence. Another favorite shot of mine is the one where she’s holding onto the branch with sparse heart-shaped leaves dangling from it. And although the branch doesn’t really look real, I like it a lot. I think it’s a nice little artistic touch. But what’s really great about this is the strength that Vanessa exudes. She showcases the romantic feminine style in a slightly different light. A normally more delicate style, she doesn’t make it feel precious–which I really like. But above all, this feels like a very British shoot to me. The predominant English (or possibly in any of part of the UK) countryside, the darker grittier feel to it, the unfussy nature of it, and the relative lack of props make me feel that way. I certainly like this aesthetic. Do continue ;)

God she’s hot. Britt is one of my favorite newcomers. [Hmm is she still considered a newcomer when this is her second season? o.o] I simply just love her face. And she is white hot in this shoot for Vogue Germany. Excuse the pun. But more so than the all-white style for the shoot, I love the common theme of the décolleté revealing neckline. Coupled with badass hair courtesy of Balenciaga last October, it creates this sophisticated look with punk fierceness. And it doesn’t feel like it’s too much either. With the attitude and short hair, she reminds me a little bit of Anja.

I must still be thinking about Alexander Wang Spring 2011 because the clay and white powder in her hair is really attractive to me. It’s surprisingly very elegant and makes her seem ethereal. This editorial seems very artsy and kinda off-kilter. I think I really like the slight ballet allusions (maybe it’s just me drawing those) with the chalk everywhere and pulled back bun. Ymre has some really lovely features. She’s strong, a bit unusual, and striking in spite of the white out. Not to mention, she also has some very nice lines. I really love the slope of her shoulders and neck (left feature shot); I find the nape of a woman’s neck very attractive. I’m usually a stickler for good posture, but I like that her shoulders are slumped over. It creates a lovely arch with her back and neck. And the styling is lingerie-inspired as well. Clean lines, womanly silhouettes, and sheer overlay create a nice romantic tone without being overly fussy.

Another epically gorgeous Atelier Lookbook for Donatella. While the photography isn’t as great as in the last two, the designs are absolutely lovely. They’re feminine, dramatic, and elegant. And although Donatella does delve into bright bedecked minidresses that are so characteristic of her ready-to-wear collection, she remains with sophisticated couture-worthy evening gowns. I really wish that she would commission the council to admit her as a couturier; her technique is utterly worthy of that title. The caliber of her design technique is clearly seen in the scalloped layers of the mermaid skirt in look 28 and the frothy satin and lace tiers of looks 21 and 24. I mean, just look at the last gown alone: the carefully controlled volume of the bubbly tulle skirt epically fans out for effect but doesn’t overwhelm Abbey’s frame. And the midway ombre color is gorgeous. Donatella’s gowns are beautifully proportioned and romantically fairytale-esque with an apparent hour-glass silhouette. And I adore Abbey’s platinum blonde bowl cut; she looks adorable with it. It really suits her. Another roaring success for Donatella but in design and model casting.

Coco Rocha has a fantastic personality. And it always comes across in her work. She has this quirky playfulness that manifests itself in some fabulously unique posing and faces. Thrilling in various shades of coral, she comes across strong, sophisticated, and off-beat in the best possible way. Her frame and posing are always so eloquent; she folds her arms like they’re origami shapes. Not to mention she’s modeling some of my favorite pieces for the spring season. The Haider (featured above) is somehow structured, sexy, and loose all in one. And she is oh so strong in that Lanvin dress (shot 7). I think what I love best about her is that she is unafraid to come across “ugly.” She constantly strives for better lines, more unique posing, and more personable shots. There is no wall with her. Which is great to see in this industry.

Why hello there Hedi Slimane. I think I was greatly drawn to this editorial just because his photography style is so distinctly prominent in it. I must admit that I am not really a big fan of Gisele. I don’t find her looks or modeling particularly spectacular, but she’s growing on me I guess. [She always has an excellent classic put together sense of style as well.] She does have very nice angular features that are cast in shadow so beautifully when she turns her face to the side in this. I find her very naturally gorgeous in this, but I still feel that it’s Hedi’s photography that I am truly loving. Hedi’s always so great at classic black and white photos. There’s a sentiment about his photography that I really really love.

God does that Proenza Schouler dress look hot wet…Ok now that that’s out of the way, on to the rest of the editorial. We are totally in beach season, magazine-wise. Even though the weather’s still rainy and totally not cooperating, fashion most definitely likes to start early. I love the beautiful flow to all these shots with the dramatic fluttering silk gowns billowing so fabulously in the wind. The lines captured are utterly lovely. With the vibrant summer color scheme, this makes me truly long for summer where I can frolic at the beach without freezing half to death. And while this is a stereotypical beach shoot styled with easy maxi dresses, I still really really like the lines. The billowing gowns are utterly fabulous. Reminds me of wildly painting and the artist just lets it go with the paint flinging. And I love the sleek lines that Victoire casts, especially in shot 3 (so like a banana!). Above all, this editorial showcases some gorgeous fashion, some lovely streamlines, and classic posing. Oh why can’t it be summer yet?